Running iTunes from an External HD

Hi Guys,
I'm looking into purchasing a MacBook, the purpose of this will be it's light weight, easy transport & for storing / playing (Music, Movies, TV Shows and Photos)
Now looking at the storage which is 250GB which is a reasonable amount. I'm looking to run my whole entire iTunes Library of an 1TB External Hard Drive, i know this is possible.. but my question is, is this data just copied over to the external hard drive and will constantly need updating with the latest version per purchase? or will this be completely running off an External Hard drive, so each purchase will be stored on to the HD instead of the Flash Memory on the Macbook.
I will buy three External HD:
- One which is the main iTunes Library (Which will be plugged in when wanting to access iTunes)
- Two A backup of my iTunes Library, incase of External HD issues
- Three i shall do exactly the same for iPhotos.
Any advice would be great on to how to also set this up once purchased.
Many Thanks in Advance

Hello,
Thank you for the link above i beleive this has answered my question, i shall also store this link until i am ready to go a head with my idea.
Many Thanks & Regards,
James

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Why can't I move my iTunes library and run iTunes from an external hard drive?

I've been having issues with space on my Macbook pro, so I wish to move my music in order to free up more space. I have been following the instructions on how to run iTunes from an external drive, but each time I attempt it only the 'Automatically Add to iTunes' folder copies to my drive - which has nothing in it.
What is going on?

Which exact set of instructions? Just about all of them are wrong, even the ones that specifically say how to move your library.
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music [library] to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - a somewhat bewildering and not always easily understandable set of options.
Quick answer if you use iTunes' default preferences settings: Copy the entire iTunes folder (and in doing so all its subfolders and files) intact to the other drive. Open iTunes and immediately hold down the Option (alt) key (shift on Windows), then guide it to the iTunes Library.itl file in the moved iTunes folder.
For the record there's this reference for iTunes 11 but it really doesn't strike me as having the specifics you need. iTunes 11 for Mac: Move your library to another computer - http://support.apple.com/kb/PH12168

Can i download and run itunes from an external hard drive

can i download and run itunes from an external hard drive?

The iTunes application should be on the boot drive but you can keep the iTunes library on an external.
hold Shift when launching iTune sand select Create library and select the external.
This will create an iTunes folder on the external with all the library files and all media will also go into this folder.

Want to run iTunes from an external drive, how?

I want to run iTunes from my external drive, I have already made back ups of my library and media files but I can't figure out how to save iTunes to the external drive? When you download itunes it just automatically downloads to the computer. Can you even do this? If not, how can I use the saved info on my external drive (library and media files) with my itunes on the computer. The problem we are trying to solve is a lack of space on our computer and we want to free as much space as possible. Thanks!

I want to run iTunes from my external drive, I have already made back ups of my library and media files but I can't figure out how to save iTunes to the external drive?
Drag the iTunes library to the external drive, launch iTunes with the Shift key held down, and point it there.
(56927)

Running itunes from an external hard drive

Hi there,
My itunes library is getting a little too large for my iMac to handle (nearing 500gb of my 1TB hard drive, leaving little space for all my other software and documents) and I'd like to move the itunes library and run it from an external hard drive.
I've read the following link and am clear on the procedure...
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449
Sure, I can go through the process and see what happens, however, I thought I'd ask to see if anyone else has done something similar and am curious as to whether they encountered any issues / have any words of wisdom to impart?!
I have an Apple TV which syncs with my iTunes, as well as an iPad and an iPhone. The iPad and iPhone sync when connected, but the Apple TV syncs over WiFi...
Will I have any side affects by moving my library to an external hard drive?
I plan to purchase a drive with FireWire 800. That said, I do have a 2TB TimeCapsule, but I cant seem to find any decent information on how to use it as an external hard drive...(even though, I believe, it says you can do so in the 'sales bumf' on the Apple store)
Your thoughts/advice/comments wold be appreciated!
Cheers,
D

MacFormat Issue 236 page 65.
Sorted!

Can i run itunes from an external harddrive and if so how?

LIke i'm not a complete pleb and i know full well that this should work in theory i am just worried about moving the "itunes" folder to my external harddrive because i feel itunes will then say 'can't find library' or something. I have a G4 emac you see with only 40GB internal harddrive, about 25GB is just my itunes songs and i can't get rid of any as i need them for djing.
can i just copy the itunes app and the itunes folder to my external harddrive and then create a itunes link in my dock? I feel that i'm missing something though.
Could someone tell me a surefire way to do it so i don't mess up. I'm not 100%
cheers
rhys

Yes you can run programs from a differnt drive. All you have to do is download that prgram to that drve same as you would to the c:drive by defualt we will have to reload everything as if you never had itunes.
1 make a folder on your drive called itunes.
2 go to the website and get the itune ( click on the download link and when it ask to run or save click save and tell it where to save.
3. After save is complete click on the install app. it will default to install to you c drive. Change this to your desired drive and folder. (this will install it on that drive and folder.) then you will have to make a shortcut to open Itunes.
4 If you more than one pc configure in the same order and # of drive you will be able to run this drve from any pc.
I do this with alot of programs at work from a 4gb penn drive to get around the firewall and admin rites. (I.T. department)

Running iTunes from an external hard disc, deleting songs on local disc

I've moved my iTunes library to an external hard disc, so I could free up room on my Macbook Air. Everything seemed fine, so as a test, I deleted 1 song from the iTunes media file on my Air, and then tried to play it from the external disc.
I get the "original file could not be found" message. The preferences in iTunes point to the external drive, and the song is there. I get find the individual file, but that's clearly not going to be a good solution for ALL my music!
What should I do? The only advice I find online is to go to preferences, advanced, find the external hard drive and click OK, but that's all be done!

You have to move the library database too, or you have to use a method for just moving media. Unless you know the details of how iTunes works I would move it all otherwise you are more likely to encounter issues such as the one you are seeing and won't know how to resolve them.
iTunes: How to move [or copy] your music to a new computer [or another drive] - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT4527 - Basically what ChrisCA recommends
iTunes for Mac: Moving your iTunes Media folder - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449 - moving just media but leaving all else on your main drive.
What are the iTunes library files? - http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1660
More on iTunes library files and what they do - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ITunes#Media_management
What are all those iTunes files? - http://www.macworld.com/article/139974/2009/04/itunes_files.html
iTunes 9 [and later]: Understanding iTunes Media Organization - http://support.apple.com/kb/ht3847
Image of iTunes folder structure Dec. 2011 - https://discussions.apple.com/message/16923545
see also:
Image of folder structure and explanation of different iTunes versions (turingtest2 post) - https://discussions.apple.com/message/13025536 and https://discussions.apple.com/message/17457605

When I download an app while running iTunes from an external hard drive, the app is automatically saved to the my music folder on my desktop.

Also, when I move an updated app from the my music folder to the external hard drive, it no longer automatically deletes the old version of the app in the folder.

Hi, I was waiting for somebody with experience to pipe in, but as I understand it it'll be that way for upto 5 users if your Sharing iTunes.

Can I run iTunes from an external hard drive?

My laptop's hard drive is getting pretty full. Collection of movies, songs, pods and pictures are taking up most of the space. Can iTunes be reinstalled into an external hard drive dedicated to my Apple iPods and iPhone stuff? Whenever I want to sync or visit the Apple Store, then I can just turn it on. Would appreciate any advice on how to manage a big inventory of files.
Thanks.
Priscilla

I just did this the other night....
I plugged in my hard drive, and copied the ENTIRE ITUNES FOLDER onto my hard drive. This is the folder you see when you open my music. It has all of your playlist and rating information in there. After that is finished, you have to go into your advanced preferences, and change the location of your itunes music folder. once you do this you should be set. it worked for me.
hope this helps!
-Phil

How do I run itunes from an external hard drive?

the internal is small and I use itunes mainly for downloading podcasts which creates a quickly growing library

You do not. iTunes like all programs must be installed on the main drive of the computer, typically the C drive.
The media, apps, and other content can be stored on another drive. Is that possibly what you intended?

How can I run Itunes from an external hard drive?

I have over 35GB's of music. Its killing my hard drive. Help!!!?!!!!

heres an apple article on how to move your itunes media folder, sounds like exactly what youre looking for.
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1364
-mvimp

Run iTunes from the external hard drive?

I've been going through the posts and I don't think any recent ones are talking about what I want to do. I have a Macbook Pro (OSX10.5.8) and a desktop G4 (OSX10.4.8). I have extensive iTunes (and iPhoto) collections on each one. Is it possible to install iTunes and iPhoto directly onto the 1T LaCie hard drive and move my entire collection over to it? I already backup all that to various hard drives, but I would like to go to one place to access my songs and photos.

The applications cannot (or at least should not) be moved. But you can move your tracks and photos.
For iTunes, drag the entire iTunes folder (the entire folder, not just the iTunes Music folder) to your desired location. Then hold down the Shift key (Windows)/Option key (Mac) while launching iTunes. You'll be given a dialog box where you can select the iTunes library you want to use. Navigate to and select the iTunes folder in it's new location. Note that this procedure assumes that all of your tracks are contained in the iTunes Music folder. If they're scattered around your volumes, moving them becomes much more complex.
For iPhoto, see:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1229
Regards.

Running iTunes from external hard drive, new computer, where to start?

I've seen several threads relating to this, but I'm a bit confused. For some time we have been running iTunes from an external hard drive with no issues. We now have a new laptop with windows 8, and I'm not sure where to start to set up iTunes (we replaced the computer with a laptop). Do I need to do a new install of iTunes on the laptop? Do I install it to the hard drive (C) or to the external drive (G)? My biggest source of concern is losing the library. I also want to be sure that we can continue to run iTunes from the external drive, I don't want it taking up space on the laptop hard drive.

With more & more people looking towards external drives as a storage solution, it's important to warn them, that although using one within iTunes is a great idea, it comes with its issues & can be a step towards a disastrous sequence. In such a scenario, each time iTunes is launched it'll look for the library that resides on the external drive, & if that drive's not connected, iTunes will open with an empty library. You know what's comming next, rite ? An empty iDevice. This happens because 'by default' iTunes is set to Auto-Sync & if you're using an external drive, the potential for a messy problem goes way up. So in short, remember these points. when using an external drive(library).
. Always connect your external drive prior to lauching iTunes.
. Always ensure iTunes sees your external library prior to connecting your iDevice.
. Disable the 'Auto-Sync' feature from within iTunes prior to connecting your iDevice.
. Always wait to connect your iDevice until thee aforementioned points are confirmed.
As stated earlier, using an external drive with iTunes isn't a problem in & by itself. But if the external drive's disconnected & the 'Auto-Sync' feature's left at its default setting(enabled), a family member could loose all their data simply by connecting their iDevice to the PC/Mac. Or be in for a time consuming lesson.
PS: At the very least one should research the topic themselves. http://ipod.about.com/od/advanceditunesuse/a/Itunes-External-Hard-Drive.htm

How to Play iTunes from a external Hard Drive?

Is it possible to run iTunes from an external hard drive so that I dont use up the space on my labtop? For example, store all my music files on the External and run it through iTunes.

Assuming you use the iTunes default settings where iTunes copied added items to your iTunes folder and organizes your library (meaning - everything is all self contained in the iTunes folder), then all you have to do is drag & drop your iTunes folder (not just the iTunes Music folder you find inside the iTunes folder) to the external drive and copy the entire thing.
If you want to test that it worked or would like to actually start using it from that location instead, use these instructions when you start iTunes to point it to the new location...
How to open an alternate iTunes Library file or create a new one
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304447
If you are just testing, then close iTunes after you verify it works, and restart iTunes again with the same instructions and point it back to your internal drive (original) location.
Back up your iTunes library by copying to an external hard drive
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=307074
Patrick

Playing music in iTunes from an external HD

I moved 600gbs of music to an external HD to save HD space and run iTunes from the external. After the transfer, I told or pointed to iTunes where the 'new' music is on the external HD but iTunes will not read the music - it is asking me to find each and every song one at a time? Thats a LOT of clicking if I really need to do that.
Please help

I recently did the same thing (move my library to an external drive). What you want to do is have iTunes move the songs itself. iTunes keeps track of where each song is located. If you move the songs yourself, iTunes won't know and you end up in your situation. Just setting the media folder to the external drive won't be enough as that is only telling iTunes where to store NEW tracks.
What you want to do is bascially set the new media folder location and then have iTunes move all the tracks to that location. I followed the procedure here:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1449

Running iTunes from an External HD

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